See the world - or at least its beers

Saturday

Mar 28, 2009 at 12:01 AM

Greater Gator Beer Festival features brews from more than 100 countries.

By Hayley MathisCorrespondent

It's that time of year again. The flowers are flourishing, the weather is warming - and the beer is brewing.The 13th annual Greater Gator Beer Festival will feature some of the best beers from more than 100 countries from 1 to 5 p.m. today at Magnolia Parke at 4700 NW 39th Ave.Much like a wine tasting, the festival allows visitors to sample unlimited 2-ounce servings of brews from places as diverse as Japan, Russia, Jamaica and England."We'll have Obolon from the Ukraine, Yinpu from China, Chang from Thailand and brews from the good ol' U.S. of A," said organizer Ricki Black.Unlimited food from more than a dozen local restaurants and vendors selling T-shirts, cigars and more also will be provided.Advance tickets are $20; tickets at the gate are $25. Patrons must be at least 21 years old and provide a valid photo ID.Advance tickets are available at BJ's Restaurant and Brewhouse, Kazbor's Sports Grille, Gator Beverage, Sky Palace Tobacco, Art of Billiards, Gator's Dockside and both Beef 'O' Brady's locations.Restaurants providing food include Beef 'O' Brady's, Domino's, Gator's Dockside, BJ's Restaurant, Hungry Howie's, Kazbor's Sports Grille, Pita Pit, Art of Billiards, Millhopper Cafe, TooJay's Gourmet Deli and more. The beer fest is sponsored by Appliance Direct.Last year's festival attracted more than 2,500 people, and Black expects at least that many this year.After attending a beer festival in San Francisco, Black and co-organizer Chuck Fazio became inspired to bring a beer festival to Gainesville.

"We were so blown away because it had all these different displays of beers," Black said.The first Greater Gator Beer Festival was held in 1997 at the Sun Center. As more vendors became interested and attendance grew, the festival first moved to a parking lot on W. University Avenue and then to Magnolia Parke.It has become so popular that a Greater Gator Part Two, held in October, was created for those who may have missed it in the spring or just want to enjoy the festival again.For the past several years, Black said she has seen an increase in craft beers, which are lesser known and typically brewed using traditional techniques, from smaller beer companies, such as Sweetwater Brewery in Atlanta.The variety of beers and good food is what keeps people coming back every year, she said."It's a good value to pay $20 or $25 to sample all different kinds of beer and food included," Black said "It's almost like a reunion of people."To ensure safety, Watson's Towing and Buckhardt Sales and Services will provide transportation to and from the park for free."We do really take it seriously," Black said. "It's always nice if you've had a little bit too much or just want to enjoy yourself to not have to worry."For more information, visit floridabeerfestivals.com. Contact Watson's Towing at 373-7475.